[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 69 (Thursday, May 13, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S5318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WALTER WETZEL MEMORIAL

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Private 
First Class Walter C. Wetzel, one of Macomb County's greatest war 
heroes, who will be honored Saturday, May 15, 1999. On that day, the 
lobby in the new Macomb County Administration Building will be 
dedicated as the Private First Class Walter Wetzel Memorial where a 
bronze bust of Private Wetzel will be unveiled.
  ON April 3, 1945, Private Wetzel, a Roseville resident, was serving 
as a member of an Army anti-tank unit, when they came under attack by a 
German offensive. As Wetzel warned his fellow soldiers of the attack, 
two live grenades were thrown through the window of the farmhouse where 
his unit was positioned; Wetzel then shielded his men by covering the 
grenades with his body, sacrificing his life to save the lives of the 
others in his unit.
  As the ultimate recognition for his bravery and honor, the military 
posthumously awarded Private First Class Wetzel the Medal of Honor.
  The memorial and sculpture are well-deserved tributes for the heroism 
of private Wetzel who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sacred 
values our country is founded upon.
  Private Wetzel's commitment to fight and sacrifice to protect the 
United States and the freedoms Americans cherish is to be commended. He 
deserves both respect and admiration by everyone for his dedication to 
our country.

                          ____________________